This election campaign button was worn to demonstrate support for Richard J. Daley. An Irish American Catholic from the blue-collar neighborhood of Bridgeport, Daley rose through Chicago's Democratic Party ranks by working as an alderman's secretary and state legislator between 1936 and 1946. Backed by party leaders, Daley successfully ran for mayor in 1955 and remained in office for twenty-one years. He ruled with an iron fist and maintained a well-oiled political machine by controlling City Council and the power of patronage. This button, worn by one of Daley's Hispanic supporters, documents the racially driven mayoral election of 1975. Despite Daley's white ethnic background, he was able to win 77.7% of the vote and a fifth term in office. Daley died of a heart attack while still in office in 1976. Though he dealt with many infamous controversies during his twenty-one years as mayor, he is still remembered for making Chicago "the city that works."